Principal’s Weekly Update and Important Information- December 5, 2025
Attachment:
The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our highest priority! As the Minister of Education recently reminded schools across the province, strong safety measures are essential for creating a secure learning environment. At SCCS, we take this responsibility seriously and continually review and update our protocols to ensure the highest level of safety.
All exterior doors remain locked, cameras monitor every entrance, and all visitors are required to check in at the office and wear a visitor badge while in the building. Parents and visitors are not permitted in hallways or classrooms during school hours (8:00 AM – 3:40 PM) without checking in first. It is essential that we always know who is in our building. These measures help keep students and staff safe and focused on learning.
This is not a new policy, but we occasionally receive questions. Here’s how you can help us maintain a safe environment:
- During School Hours (8:00 AM – 3:40 PM): Please report directly to the office when entering the building.
- Before School (BASC time): Use the buzzer system to enter.
- After School (BASC time): Entry requires your FOB.
- Do not allow others to enter behind you-each person must use their own FOB.
- All parents that use BASC must have a FOB. If you need one, visit the office during school hours, and we will issue it.
Your support ensures that our school remains a safe place for everyone. If you have suggestions or concerns, please reach out-we value your input and partnership.
TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK …
- Advent
- PML Term 2
- Enrichment
- PML Lunch Hour Recital
- Grades 5 – 8 Reconciliation
- PML Recital on Wednesday
- Subway/Hot Dog Lunch
- 230 pm Early Dismissal
- Report Cards distributed
- PowerSchool re-opened
- St. Nicholas Day Assembly
- Raffle Draw
LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK …
- Advent Prayer Service on Monday
- Enrichment on Tuesday
- Grades 6-8 Band Concert on Tuesday
- Wednesday Pizza Fundraising Lunch
- Musical Candygrams closes on Friday
- Christmas Hamper collections continue all week
LOOK WHAT’S COMING UP …
- Christmas Spirit Week December 15th to December 19th
- Enrichment on December 16th
- Christmas Concert on December 16th – NO MATINEE
- Wednesday Subway/Hot Dog Fundraising Lunch on December 17th
- Christmas Pageant & Caroling on December 18th at 230 pm
- Last Day of School on December 19th
- School Mass at 10 am on December 19th
- 1135 am Early Dismissal on December 19th
- NO PM BASC on December 19th
- Christmas Break! First day back to school is January 5th
CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Fundraising Committee-especially our incredible coordinators-for their hard work and dedication in organizing last weekend’s Christmas Craft Fair. It was a tremendous success thanks to your efforts! From securing vendors to managing countless details behind the scenes, we know how much time and energy goes into making this event possible. Your commitment helps create memorable experiences for our community and supports important initiatives at SCCS. Thank you for everything!
STUDENT ID CARDS
Student ID cards were sent home in agendas on Friday for every student. If your child was away on picture day and did not get a retake, then they will not have a card. We apologize for the delay-Lifetouch expressed that they wish they had been able to send them sooner. Thank you for your patience!
MUSICAL CANDY CANE FUNDRAISER
Spread a little Christmas cheer while supporting our school musical. You can order a special candy cane for your child, a friend, classmates, or even a favourite teacher!
Each candy cane is $1 and comes with a festive Christmas tag. Candy canes will be delivered to classrooms on Wednesday, December 17th, not Tuesday.
All orders must be submitted by Friday, December 12th at 6:00 p.m.
Please use the Permission Click link below to place your order:
https://permission.click/rVpNg/ca
Thank you for supporting the musical and helping us make this season bright!
RAFFLE
Congratulations to our SCCS Raffle Winners! We are excited to announce the three lucky winners of this year’s SCCS Christmas Raffle:
First prize $1000: Meagan Conway
Second Prize $500: Agnes Dyck
Third Prize $250: Cito Pulvera
Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and supported this festive tradition-your generosity makes a big difference for our school community.
To see the draw in action, check out the video link posted on Parent Zone. Thank you everyone for supporting a school fundraiser and to the parent volunteers for counting the tickets!
PARKING REMINDER
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our school grounds safe and accessible for all. To help support this effort, we are looking for parent volunteers to assist with our parking lot and loading zone patrol.
Please sign up using the link below: 2025-2026 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | PARKING LOT & LOADING ZONE PATROL .
The crosswalk near the church: you cannot pass the lineup of cars that are waiting for patrols or waiting for the loading zone. Please be patient and wait in line and DO NOT PASS vehicles at any time.
Parking: Please do not park or block our neighbours’ driveways.
Your support makes a real difference in ensuring safety for our students and families.
BAND CONCERT
Students in Grades 6-8 have their Band Concert at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9th, at St. Andrews River Heights United Church, 255 Oak Street. Parents are responsible for ensuring students arrive at the church. Doors will open at 6PM. Students attending the band concert are asked to wear their best school uniforms and are responsible for ensuring they come prepared with their instruments and music. Percussion instruments will be transported to the church for percussionists by school staff.
Thank you for your support, all volunteer slot have been filled-so grateful!
REPORT CARDS
Report cards were sent home on Thursday. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher-including specialist teachers-by email. Teachers are happy to discuss details and provide examples.
As noted in previous updates, this term introduces the new 4-3-2-1 scale and the Learning Behaviours comment box, designed to give you more detailed insights into your child’s progress.
Because this is a new format, printing errors may occasionally occur. If you notice anything that doesn’t look correct, please let us know.
We also welcome your feedback on the new format-your input helps us improve and ensure the report cards meet your needs.
Our next report cards will be distributed in March. You can also view your child’s report card online through PowerSchool. If you do not yet have access, please visit the school website at: https://www.stccs.ca/forms-programs/ for more information and to download a ParentPortal waiver.
K-2 LEARN TO SKATE
Sharpen Your Skates-Its almost time for Learn to Skate!
An email has been sent to all families with students in kindergarten to Grade 2 about our upcoming skating program. This program is an important part of the Physical Education curriculum, and all students are required to participate. Please complete the link here: https://permission.click/M6NaN/ca
Skating will take place almost every Tuesday at Keith Bodley Arena, beginning January 6, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher or reach out to me directly. This is a great opportunity for students to build skills, stay active, and have fun on the ice!
CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Will take place on Tuesday, December 16th at 6:30 PM at Portage Avenue Church (1420 Portage Avenue). There will be no matinee performance.
The concert will also be live streamed for those unable to attend. The link for the live stream will be sent to all families closer to the date.
Our students and staff have been working hard – please save the date, as your family’s presence helps make the evening special.
We need some help before and after the concert. If you can volunteer, please sign up here:
CHRISTMAS CONCERT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at Portage Avenue Church
SCCS CHRISTMAS CONCERT PEW RAFFLE
We’re spreading holiday cheer with a fun community event-a Christmas Concert Pew Raffle! Four lucky families will win front-row seats for our Christmas Concert and enjoy the best view in the house. A pew can seat approximately 8 people.
Details:
- Prizes: Four front-row pews (1 pew per family)
- Draw Date: Friday, December 12, 2025, at 3:00 PM
- Location: St. Charles Catholic School
- Notification: Winners will be contacted by email and phone on Dec. 12
Tickets:
- Price: $1 each
- Buy as many as you like to boost your chances!
- Available at the school office from December 5–12 (draw closes at 12 noon)
- You can also send money with your child in an envelope labeled “Pew Raffle”. Also include your name, address and phone number on the envelope. Ticket stubs will be sent home the same day.
Let’s make this season extra special-thank you for supporting this new festive community tradition!s.
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
Our Christmas food hamper drive runs through the weeks of (Dec. 1st – Dec. 15th)! We are collecting food items for 10 families from one of our parishes. Please find attached a document detailing what each class is asked to contribute. Donations can be dropped off in the front entrance.
- KF/KL: Size 4 diapers, Jello, rice
- Gr.1: mac and cheese, tea
- Gr. 1-2: cookies, stuffing
- Gr: 2 gravy mix, peanut butter
- Gr. 3: canned spaghetti, oatmeal
- Gr. 3-4: jam, canned fruit, scalloped potatoes
- Gr. 4: coffee, syrup, canned vegetables
- Gr. 5F: cereal, pancake mix
- Gr. 5M: cereal, sugar
- Gr 6: cranberry sauce, bagged candy
- Gr. 7 A/B: spaghetti sauce, pork and beans, canned soup
- Gr. 8: fruit juice, cake mix
HOT LUNCH FUNDRAISER
Our Wednesday hot lunch fundraiser continues in the new year! A kind reminder that all orders WITH PAYMENT for the first lunch back after winter break (January 7, 2026) are due by December 19, 2025.
Please ensure if you’re paying by cheque or cash, that this is submitted to the office before the school closes for winter break. If not, your order will be cancelled.
- If you have questions, please contact fundraising@stccs.ca.
- We also are in need and have many volunteer opportunities available:
Volunteer for Wednesday Fundraising Lunches 2025
BASC
Weekly Programs:
- BLINE will run on both Monday and Wednesday next week.
- Thursday: Christmas Craft
BASC Information:
- A reminder that when attending BASC, a form and payment must be submitted. Please note that morning, after-school, and early-dismissal programs each have different fees. I will be sending an email if your totals do not match our attendance records.
- In the mornings, please buzz and send your child into the school.
- BLINE Demo/Testing will take place on Monday, December 15th at 4:30 PM in the main gym (not Wednesday).
- There is no PM BASC on Friday, December 19th.
- January’s BASC forms are now available on the website and in the front entrance-please be sure to register early.
Thank you! If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Furutani.
ST. NICHOLAS DAY
Today, our students took part in a special assembly and prayer service to honor St. Nicholas, a beloved saint known for his generosity and care for those in need. St. Nicholas was a 4th-century bishop who became famous for his acts of kindness, especially toward children and the poor. His legacy of giving inspired many of the traditions we associate with Christmas today.
To mark the occasion, St. Nicholas visited our school and left a sweet surprise—candy in the students’ shoes! This joyful tradition reminds us of the importance of kindness, generosity, and caring for others during the Advent season.
CHRISTMAS BREAK
School is closed Dec. 20-January 4.
School opens January 5, 2026
TURF CAMPAIGN – FROM THE GROUND UP – HELP BUILD OUR PLAYGROUND
We are asking for your help! So far we have raised $97,095. Amazing!
You can track our progress on the school website.
Wishing you all a great weekend!
Aneta Prettie PRINCIPAL
St. Charles Catholic School
Phone: 204-837-1520 ext. 222
Link to .pdf version of Principal’s Update.